digigraphie Archives - The Artists Print Room (Giclée Printing)

ILFORD Certified Print Partner

Last week, we received the brilliant news that we had been awarded the ILFORD Certified Print Partner status making us one of only two in the UK! This means we have met their high requirements in colour management, processing, quality control and customer service!

We are proud of our latest achievement and this ILFORD Certified Print Partner status compliments our other industry accreditations including; Hahnemühle Certified Studio, Canson Certified Print Laboratory and Epson Digigraphie Certified Laboratory.

ILFORD

ILFORD was founded in 1879 and since then has been a name people associate with photography. The company has evolved over the years, however, their drive and passion to provide customers with world class products is still as strong as it was over 140 years ago.

ILFORD Certified Print Partner

ILFORD is renowned for its premium quality and its inkjet photo products are selected by professional photographers wanting to achieve the look and feel of professional quality prints. The programme was introduced for photographers that do not have the time to print their own work but are looking for professional prints, produced to the highest quality. The programme includes print partners across Europe that all share the same values of quality that are synonymous with the ILFORD brand and their selection of products. Each of the accredited ILFORD Certified Print Partners have been through a stringent and complex evaluation process to ensure we all meet the required standards set by the ILFORD Technical Team.

Therefore, with this great news, comes further great news! We will soon be be expanding our paper options by offering some of the wonderful ILFORD fine art papers for your prints. We will keep you updated with further information in due course.

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Paper in focus – Textured Fine Art Papers

With so many paper options to choose from, it can always be a difficult decision of which to go for. Here we are going to look at and give you a run down of the textured fine art papers we offer.

Textured Fine Art Papers

When paper is produced in the paper mill, textured fine art papers are created with a much more coarse felt, this then produces the texture on the finished product. The surface of these papers can then highlight any texture within your image, whether that be photography or an art reproduction. These papers tend to more closely represent traditional watercolour papers with a pleasant feel adding more tactile qualities to your work.

Hahnemühle Museum Etching

Museum Etching - The Artist's Print Room — ©Hahnemühle Museum Etching

This paper is mould-made and 100% cotton with a natural white colour. The etching paper features a distinct textured surface which gives a special touch, feeling like a genuine artists paper. A heavy 350gsm fine art paper which meets the highest industry standards and producing excellent colour sharpness. Due to it’s very beautiful texture, it is similar to traditional etching papers and is a great option when reproducing these prints.

Hahnemühle William Turner

The William Turner paper from Hahnemühle is heavily textured albeit a much finer texture when compared to the Museum Etching paper. A 310gm mould-made paper, again similar to the Museum Etching as it is 100% cotton. The William Turner has a natural white colour and is ideal for reproductions of traditional artworks and expressive photography reproductions. The paper also offers a water resistant coating.

Canson Infinity Arches Aquarelle Rag

This 310gsm textured paper from Canson contains no optical brighteners. Again a mould-made paper which is 100% cotton and a natural white colour. A traditional watercolour paper with a unique surface texture and an inkjet coating. Canson Infinity Aquarelle Rag gives a unique and unrivalled character to the fine art reproduction of traditional artwork and photographs.

St Cuthberts Mill Somerset Velvet Enhanced White

somerset-velvet-surface - The Artist's Print Room — ©Somerset Velvet Enhanced

Once again, a 100% cotton paper, however, this time from the St Cuthberts paper mill. A 330gsm paper with a velvet, textured surface. The texture of this paper will lift images, giving them a beautifully elegant fine art feel and ideal for both artists and photographers alike.

If you would like further guidance on any of the papers we offer, you can book a free introductory meeting. We will be able to provide samples of each of our papers for you to take a closer look at. We will even supply the tea and coffee!

ArtSure from The Fine Art Trade Guild

A few weeks ago we shared with you the exciting news that we are now a Canson Infinity Certified Print Laboratory in addition to a Hahnemühle FineArt Certified Studio and an Epson Digigraphie Studio. However, in addition to these outstanding accreditations we are also a member of the Fine Art Trade Guild ArtSure scheme, but what does this mean?

ArtSure from Fine Art Trade Guild

Overall the ArtSure scheme differs from the print studio schemes mentioned above, however, it does work with great synergy alongside these.

The ArtSure scheme is designed to give you piece of mind even before the printing has even begun with quality papers and inks. Sadly, poor quality prints are easily produced, to the untrained eye these can be difficult to distinguish between when compared to genuine fine art prints. Therefore, the scheme approves papers and inks to add an additional level of assurance and to ensure only the highest quality products are producing the highest quality prints both for photography and art reproductions. Papers from different paper mills are tested externally for archivability. For example, pH levels of papers that are approved by the scheme are required to be between 7 and 9 for optimum longevity, additionally the paper has to be a minimum of 250gsm. For inks to be approved as part of the ArtSure scheme, they are required to score at least a six on the Blue Wool scale or an equivalent certification. Additionally, there is also a list of approved printers, of which The Artist’s Print Room Epson Sure Color SC-P9000 is listed. You can find a full list of ArtSure approved materials and equipment here. Only prints produced according to the standards set by ArtSure and The Fine Art Trade Guild can use the ArtSure logo, whether this be on the corresponding certificate of authenticity or within the border of the print itself.

The Artist’s Print Room can offer assurance, security and provenance during each and every stage. The Artist’s Print Room is the only studio in the UK to have all these outstanding achievements of both certified laboratories and ArtSure membership.

Epson Digigraphie® Certified Laboratory

Did you know that we are one of only five Epson Digigraphie® Certified Laboratories here in the UK and additionally the only one in the West Midlands!

The Epson Digigraphie® accreditation was officially set up in November 2003 and since then a network of printing laboratories, dealers and artists have been established, of which we are proud to be a part of.

But what does this mean for you?

By being one of the Epson Digigraphie® Certified Laboratories, you are guaranteed the best quality prints. Furthermore, our printing equipment complies with the technical terms set by Digigraphie® and we have been certified to print with the Digigraphie® label. This all ensures added value to your final fine art prints. As part of our certification we have to undertake rigorous monthly quality control checks ensuring our work is always completed to an exceptionally high standard.

What is involved in Epson Digigraphie® Certified Laboratories?

We have to comply to stringent technical commitments, which include;

Using an Epson Surecolor SC-P9000 or Epson Stylus Pro Professional printer;
Epson Ultra Chrome or Ultra Chrome HD or Ultra Chrome K3 inks,
Certified paper; and
Each print is required to be authenticated, numbered and signed.

Epson Digigraphie® Certified Laboratories - The Artist's Print Room — Digigraphie® Embossing – The Artist’s Print Room

The following papers that we offer are Digigraphie® accredited:

Hahnemühle Museum Etching, Hahnemühle Photo Rag Bright White, Hahnemühle William Turner, Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta, Hahnemühle Photo Rag Satin and Canson Aquarelle Rag 310.

Prints will be finished with an Epson Digigraphie® embossing.

Additionally as an artist, you can register with Epson Digigraphie® and benefit from more visibility through an online gallery. Find out more about the scheme through the Epson Digigraphie® website. Alternatively, please feel free to contact us to discuss your specific requirements.